Who doesn't have a paint can in his bass drum?

[skunkfunk]

I read the latest FAQ on Simon's website, and found some rather interesting stuff there... Completely new to me, I must say!

Quoted:

"Really, the sound is down to the set up of the drum. The main ingredient is using Remo Ambassador Clear heads. Secondly not using too much damping - I use a rolled up towel which I tape to the batter head and the shell - sometimes I cut the towel in half to make it smaller. For the last couple of years I have placed a paint can inside the bass drum on a towel. Something I stole from Eddie Kramer. It really does work and helps tighten up the low end of the drum and makes it more microphone friendly. Correct placement of the mic is important and I have used Shure's Beta 52 for quite a few years now. I use a front head but if I am in a small room then I may cut a hole where the mic is so some air escapes. Using a very high quality mic pre is really important. In my studio I use a Focusrite Red 1 but any Neve (1273 or 1073 will do) or Grace 801 or API. I also use a small 8" woofer placed in front of the drum and use it as a microphone recording onto a seperate track for sub bass. That works really nicely!.

and...

"As for the bass drum, although it is a 20" it is still possible to get 5t t6 sound huge. I recommend a Remo Ambassador Clear head with very little damping. Then put something quite heavy inside the drum - a gallon can of paint (make sure the lid is on tightly) placed on a towel - not touching either head. Position the mic (whatever mic) off center (very important) and not too close. Then put the front head on - maybe cut a hole where the mic is. This will help if recording in a small room. Tune the batter head as low as you can without any wrinkles - the front head a little tighter. Dampen the front head if you have too much ring!"

(www.simon-phillips.com)

[brandrum]

what kind of paint are we talking about here? flat, satin, semi-gloss,gloss,latex, oilbase.......i want answers!! [img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 02, 2004 11:38 AM: Message edited by: brandrum ]</font>

[ladanny]

I heard that flat paint helps the drum sound more round, while gloss and semi-gloss help the drum with more attack. But the biggest different is the brand of the paint can. Specifically, Dunn Edwards does not have as much tone or bottom end as compared to Benjamin Moore! [img]tongue.gif[/img]